A
kunoichi is a female ninja.
As with the male ninja, they were spies and helped with the ninja's fight
(in various different ways) against the samurai. Mistress of deception and
'flowery combat' were among their skills. She was a spy, messenger and observer.
Her training, although similar to her male counterparts, focused more on
the psychological techniques, including manipulation, disguise, feminine
charm and the use of female intuition.

They
were also taught how to not only play with the emotions of others, but to
keep their own emotions in check - they were not allowed to fall in love
with their targets!!

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Hatsumi Sensei
says that Female ninja were classified as part of the kamae of sui (water)
and were cultivate to manipulate energy through preying on increased feelings
of emotional satisfaction; like the ocean, they would draw out, only to come
back, like a wave at riptide, in unexpected ways. these women, or kunoichi
as they were called, were given special training in psychological skills and
intuition. Taught to manipulate men high-up in the enemy hierarchy, they were
known to conceal blades inside musical instruments and sex toys. Shimma kunoichi,
ninja family members, were trained as spies who were taught not to fall in
love with their targets or lose sight of their ultimate goal after successful
seduction. According to Rumiko Hayes, a ninja black belt and the wife of Stephen
Hayes, head female agents were sent around the country to collect young female
orphans, whom they raised with care. These orphan girls were forever indebted
to their agents and would do whatever they were asked in terms of seducing
men. Karima kunoichi were women who were not part of the clan but were temporarily
hired as maids, mistresses, entertainers, fortunetellers, prostitutes, or
artists. In contemporary times, female ninja often fulfill the same roles
as men, working in security and law enforcement.

Apparently, one
of the favourite weapons for a kunoichi was the neko-te (cat hand). The neko-te
were usually used by the female kunoichi. The weapon is strong iron fingernails
that were fastened into leather bands fitted on the fingers, and resembled
claws (not that like or of the shuko, ashiko) and were also dipped in poisons.
The eyes were a favorite spot for slashing.
One of the interesting things that my Japanese high school friend told me
about the word kunoichi was the way it also means "woman" (onna)
when put together.

In Japanese,
the 'ku' is written in hirigana, 'no' in katakana and 'ichi' in kanji - add
the three together, as in the image below, and you get the Japanese word (in
kanji) for woman!

The Kunoichi were a secret sisterhood in Ancient Japan. These
women were experts in deception and masters of assassination. Female shrine
attendants, concubines and servants moved about a Feudal Lord's castle with
ease. Since these women went virtually unnoticed, they were capable of committing
acts of espionage with little or no interference.

Kunoichi-jutsu revolves around the art of deception. These
warrior-women base their training on surprise tactics and hidden weapons.
A Kunoichi never wastes time or energy in combative situations. Their unarmed
fighting and weaponry skills make use of strategically placed vital attacks
that are designed to incapacitate their opponents very quickly.

Ever-vigilant, the Kunoichi is never a victim. Although she
may appear weak and helpless, it is a ruse. In reality, the Kunoichi uses
her outward appearance and conditioned emotional responses to manipulate those
who would cause her harm.